Trees for Villagers™

Karnataka, India

0% remaining 100,000 Trees planted
100,000 Trees Target

Target Completed

Project Purpose

Trees for Rural Communities™

Location

Plantation of trees on the community lands of the upper catchments of Papagni River, in the villages of Venkatakrishnahalli, G Cherlopalli, Laxmipura Grama Panchayat, Bajjapura, Chinnampalli, Guvvalavaripalli, Mittemari, Kallarolapalli, Kothakotavandlapalli, Gaddampalli, G Nakalahalli, and Gadlichinta of Kolar and Chikkaballapur Districts in Chintamani, Karnataka, India.

Aim

Enhancement of

Biodiversity

Groundwater

Recharge

Increase in

Green Cover

Generation of

Rural Employment

Control Soil Erosion

Why Trees?

Non-Timber Forest Produces (NTFPs) like fruit, fodder, fuel, raisins, bark, gum, wood, etc. provide for the domestic needs of the community while also forming basic raw materials for small and micro-enterprises. These will support the rural communities financially, incorporating their socio-economic sustainability. It will further contribute to poverty alleviation by generating proper income for the community. The importance of trees for the upliftment of the rural communities in Chintamani has also been highlighted in Jason Donovan’s article, ‘The business side of sustainable forest management: Small and medium forest enterprise development for poverty reduction’, which was published by the Overseas Development Institute and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. According to The Hindu’s report on the role of native trees in providing protection against natural disasters, dated 13th December 2016, “The topsoil, essential for the survival of human beings incessantly eroded by the natural agents like wind and water in the absence of tree cover. The native trees conserve them against such adversities.”

Moreover, The 5th September 2018 issue of the Hindu mentions the economic losses endured by Karnataka due to soil loss. Hence, owing to the various factors, the need for planting cannot be ignored in order to bring harmony in the lives of the rural communities as well as the wildlife prominent in the region. The plantation activity initiated in Karnataka will render in the larger goal of building a safer and healthier ecosystem.

Tree Species

Jam (Acacia Acuminata), Black Plum (Syzygium Cumini), Sal (Shorea Robusta), Seemathangadi (Alstonia Scholaris), Karanj (Millettia Pinnata), Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna), Ashoka (Saraca Asoca), Neem (Azadhirachta Indica), Indian Fig (Ficus Racemosa), Saras (Albizia Lebbeck), Kamara (Hardwickia Binata), And Custard Apple (Annona Reticulata).

Social Impact

The non-timber forest resources will increase, providing for the local communities' personal consumption and for selling the surplus in local markets. The leaves of Butea for crafting leaf plates, grass for making broomsticks, berries, etc. will provide commercial opportunities to build a small-scale forest-based industry, thus, providing a steady income source to the forest dwellers. The continuous regeneration of the trees will ensure the steady flow of resources ensuring stainability. The trees, when mature, will provide food and fodder to the cattle, thus, preventing them from venturing inside the forest in the territories of the wild animals. Tree plantation will also aid in the reduction of soil erosion, improvement in water levels, absorbing carbon and regulating the environment.

Name of the Company	Number of Trees Adopted	Year
HDFC Mutual Fund	36,993	FY 2021-22

Independent Audit for Kolar, Karnataka

Kolar, Karnataka

Excerpt

Total saplings planted in Kolar were 25,000 across 14 villages in 2017-18. Grow-Trees planting partner is involved in productive activities with the help of Zila Panchayat, Gram Panchayat and Village Development Committee in Planting of Trees and Building Small Water Check Dams which provide water facilities for livestock and increase water moisture of land around the dam. In areas of adverse survival conditions, Grow-Trees planting partner adopted the strategy of 1+3 plantation, wherein one main sapling is planted along with 3 seeds of the local species which are successful in surviving in the given ecological conditions. Due to a lack of rainfall and other natural causes, the survival rate of the plantation is 68%.

The planting has been carried out as per the plan and the number of saplings physically verified agrees with the number of saplings planted (as per the report of Grow-Trees planting partner). We are of the opinion that looking to the steps taken by Grow-Trees planting partner, i.e., location of the site, encouragement to planting and positive response from the villagers to grow, nurture and monitor the planting, the result of the activity will be affirmative.

Independent Audit for Kolar-Chikkaballapur, Karnataka

Kolar-Chikkaballapur, Karnataka

Excerpt

The total number of saplings planned to be planted was 1,50,000 in the District of Chikkaballapura and Kolar in 2018-19, 2019-20 & 2020-21. The project area in Karnataka covers parts of Chikkaballapur & Kolar Districts. The project area has diversified habitats like hilly terrain, agriculture, forest, wetland, open scrubland other habitats. The common lands are classified as hilly land and village common land. The responsibility of caring for and protecting the plantations is taken by villagers. Planting of endemic species, weeding, and seeding apart from allowing natural regeneration towards the restoration process has been carried out. This region is suitable for the plantation of Honge (Pongame). The majority of plantation is done for Honge as it has a good survival ratio.

The planting has been carried out as per the plan and the approximate number of saplings physically verified agrees with the number of saplings planted. We are of the opinion that looking at the steps taken by Grow-Trees Planting Partner i.e., location of the site, encouragement to planting, and positive response from the village to save the planting, the outcome of this project will be affirmative.